[05/05/14 - 06:06 AM]Hallmark Channel's Top Rated Original Primetime Series "When Calls the Heart" Earns a Second Season RenewalSince its premiere on January 11, the series has consistently rated top five in its Saturday night timeslot and has been seen by more than 12.3 million unduplicated viewers.

[via press release from The Hallmark Channel]

HALLMARK CHANNEL'S TOP RATED ORIGINAL PRIMETIME SERIES "WHEN CALLS THE HEART" EARNS A SECOND SEASON RENEWAL

Lori Loughlin, Erin Krakow, and Daniel Lissing Star In The Period Drama

On the heels of Jack Wagner and James Brolin starring in the final episodes of "When Calls the Heart," Hallmark Channel is proud to announce its Original Series has earned a renewal and promises many more surprises in season two. "When Calls the Heart," starring Lori Loughlin, Erin Krakow and Daniel Lissing, is based on the bestselling series of books of the same name by Janette Oke and tells the captivating story of a young woman who begins a new chapter in her life in a 19th century coal mining town and learns the lessons of life, love and loss. Since its premiere on January 11, the series has consistently rated top five in its Saturday night timeslot and has been seen by more than 12.3 million unduplicated viewers. After its first ten episodes, "When Calls The Heart" is averaging a 1.5 household rating. The original primetime drama is Hallmark Channel's second original scripted series. (Source: The Nielsen Company)

"The success of 'When Calls The Heart' proves the show fills the niche of quality, family-friendly entertainment that audiences want to see in today's crowded television landscape," said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming, Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel. "The overwhelming wave of support from the show's legion of fans tells us that they have fallen in love with its great storytelling and we are thrilled to have it continue," Vicary concluded.

"When Calls the Heart" follows the story of a young schoolteacher Elizabeth Thatcher (Krakow) who moves from her privileged high society life to a simpler one as a schoolteacher in the Western frontier. Elizabeth arrives in Coal Valley, a 19th century coal mining town, for her first classroom assignment. However, she arrives in the aftermath of a mine explosion that claimed the lives of most of Coal Valley's men, leaving behind their widows - including kind-hearted Abigail Stanton (Loughlin). Abigail and the newly widowed women face many challenges as they confront life alone in Coal Valley, and find their faith is tested when they are forced to work in the mines to make ends meet. As Elizabeth adapts to the frontier lifestyle, she also begins to fall for handsome Constable Jack Thornton (Lissing). The budding romance between Jack and Elizabeth comes to fruition, and is a core element to the series' successful storytelling.

"When Calls the Heart" is a Believe Pictures and Brad Krevoy Television production. Executive Producers are Brad Krevoy, Brian Bird and Michael Landon, Jr. Based on the novel, When Calls the Heart by Janette Oke.

Hallmark Channel, owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., is a 24-hour basic cable network that provides a diverse slate of high-quality entertainment programming available in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to a national audience of 86 million subscribers. Hallmark Channel is the nation's leading destination for quality family programming with an ambitious slate of TV movies; original scripted series, including Cedar Cove, Signed, Sealed, Delivered and When Calls the Heart; specials such as Kitten Bowl; as well as some of television's most beloved sitcoms and series, including The Golden Girls, The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, and Frasier. The channel is also home to Daytime Emmy-nominated lifestyle program, Home & Family, a daily two-hour live show shot in a fully functional house located on the Universal Studios lot. Hallmark Channel's sibling network, Hallmark Movie Channel, available in HD and SD, focuses on family-friendly movies with a mix of original films, classic theatrical releases, and presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library.